WHEN he started his business more than 20 years ago, uMhlanga resident Howard Blake, would never have believe the dizzying heights his company, Blake Holdings has reached. In 1990 he founded the company which was focused on accounts receivables management within sub Saharan Africa. Initially servicing retail, banks and financial institutions, the business has grown into a diversified services group.

These services include accounts receivable management, debtors book purchasing, ‘white lable’ book managment, and sub contracted debtors book management.

He then realised the opportunity to offer services within the digital strategies of his clients and launched Ctrlroom which offers digital services through WiFi, beacons and apps.

Blake (52) who matriculated from Northlands Boys in 1979 and has been chosen as the Circle of Valour Business award winner.

“The school has produced many people that have been successful in diverse fields. It’s an honour to be among those acknowledged by my peers,” he said.

Blake was also selected as one of the semi-finalists in the Emerging Category of the South African of the Ernst & Young World Entrepreneur Awards in 2008.

“It’s been a great privilege and satisfying feeling to have seen a business I started, grow to where it is today,” he said.